Neighborhood Dentist 2044 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, OR 97214
Appointments: (503) 234-0131
Frequently Asked Questions
Is that a dog in your office?
Yes. My dog Daisy is here in the office with us most days. She is very mellow and great with kids. Have a dog allergy or just not canine-casual? Let us know and we’ll keep her in the back. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you feel her gentle head come rest on your lap during an appointment.
What are you doing for COVID-19 safety?
Please visit our COVID-19 procedure page here.
Do you see children?
Of course. The whole family is welcome.
Are you a cosmetic dentist? A family dentist? An implant dentist?
I’m a general dentist, which means I do all these things. All graduates of accredited U.S. dental schools are general dentists, qualified to offer comprehensive care. While some dentists choose to limit their practices to certain areas and refer out all the rest, I enjoy doing everything. So I do fillings, crown and bridge, implants, dentures. I clean teeth and treat the gums. I do root canals and extractions. I work on adults and kids. That being said, there are times when I need to refer complex cases in any area of dentistry to a dental specialist.
Only completion of an ADA accredited residency program in a dental specialty allows a dentist to be recognized as a specialist. The most common dental specialties are endodontics (root canals), periodontics (tissues that support the teeth), prosthodontics (complex tooth replacement and rehabilitation), orthodontics (tooth movement), pediatric dentistry (dentistry on children and the developmentally disabled) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (surgery of the mouth and lower face). Most practitioners of the other recognized specialties — oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and dental public health — practice in academic or public agency settings.
I completed a General Practice Residency program. This is not required for the practice of general dentistry, but it’s not a bad idea.
Do you take my insurance?
Sure, why not? But come see us even if you don’t have insurance. You’re still allowed.
What if I don’t have dental insurance?
We are committed to making preventative care transparent and affordable. We offer a very reasonable flat fee for your initial new patient visit. After that, we offer the option of a flat fee program for your 6 month re-care visits. If you choose to participate, you’ll also get significant discounts on any dental treatment we need to provide. Please call us and we can fill you in on the details.
I’m — err — I mean my spouse — is very nervous about going to the dentist. Can you help?
It’s very common for people to experience dental anxiety. It can be a real problem if it keeps you, err, someone, from getting necessary dental care. I use a combination of techniques to help you overcome this issue such as prescription medication, however, I have found that most patients start to feel better about coming to the dentist when they’ve experienced a comfortable smooth procedure and they are given the time they need. Our beautiful office and equipment will help here. We have the most comfortable dental chairs I’ve ever seen (manufactured right here in Oregon, I might add), and our electric hand pieces (drills) are smoother, faster and quieter than the old fashioned air-turbine devices. No more high pitched whir! I work hard to address your individual needs because I recognize that no two people are the same.
Mets or Yankees?
Mets.